So another early alarm call and then a bus to Napier, but as it was pouring with rain and very windy in Wellington I was rather glad to be off (although I did really like it). The coach driver was silent the whole way here (hurrah it is possible) and we arrived 45 min early too. So I had plenty of time to grab lunch (steak pie, crisps, juice, apple and museli bar and I'm still skinny!) and then head to the art deco centre for a walking tour of Napier. Weather tod...

Today Naomi reverted to her 10 year old self and went on a nature walk (although dressed in fab jive skirt, fishnets and ballet pumps - much to all the other visitors entertainment - i was a whole lot quiter than any of them!) I got the bus to Karori a suburb of Wellington to visit the Karori Sanuctuary a special reserve with big fence all around to keep out predators (although the stupid amount of humane traps for stoats and rats etc make me think the fence isn'...

Spent the majority of today looking at Te Papa's Collection - including some amazing paintings and a beautiful marae as well as some of the best ways of explaining earthquakes and volcanoes to kids (chaos but great fun - although based on dad's previous reaction to earthquakes i'm not sure he would have enjoyed the shuddering house...) they also had a beautiful garden outside which had examples of NZ natural habitats and was just so peaceful Tried to visit the c...

Another day another fab train journey! (I'm starting to wonder if in a previous life I wasn't a train spotter....) today's left Christchurch at 7am which meant a pick up (free admittedly) at 6.10am! so my alarm went off at 5 and i stumbled downstairs to the showers (I really should have bought more suitable pjs before travelling - those who've seen them will understand why I shouldn't be wandering round in public in them..... ooops!) having woken up (& notice...

Had a full english breakfast in an italian cafe to start my day :-) and then went on a wander round the botanical gardens (in search of a art gallery on the other side of the park but couldn't find it - very poor signage!) then back into town and a tour on the tram. Visited the arts centre which was just fab and of course ended up buying myself something (beautiful large purple agate bead to go on a necklace) then over the road to the canterbury museum which was ...